Transforming Time: Hermès’ Faubourg Manchette Joaillerie

Hermès’ famed leatherwork is perfectly paired with its fine Faubourg watch into the new Faubourg Manchette Joaillerie, which is available in four colours.

By
Indonesia Tatler Editor on Aug 12, 2016

Since its first emergence as a dainty and elegant watch in 2014, Hermès’ Faubourg has been interpreted in many different ways. And the latest sees fine, luxurious alligator leather carved for the cuff strap to celebrate Hermès' equestrian spirit.

Skilled craftsman applied the company's famous saddle-stitching technique with three double stitches at each seam's end to ensure a robust finish. Sharp edges are also sandpapered to smoothness before pressing a furrow between the seam and the edge of the leather.

Dyeing the strap contour comes next and Hermès does this in four shades: emerald green, sapphire blue, Etruscan brown and smooth black. Furthermore, the strap is heat smoothed with a soldering iron, which is known as the burnishing technique. Finally, each piece is waterproofed with beeswax.

These processes turn the leather soft and pliable, meaning the strap hugs the wrist gently. The watch case measures 19.5mm in diameter and houses a Swiss-made quartz movement with five jewels: white gold goes with the black strap, and rose gold with the green, blue and brown leather.

Each colour comes with a matching dial made of semi-precious stones: onyx, malachite, lapis lazuli and tiger's eye. Four diamonds mark the time, while 36 baguette-cut diamonds, as well as emeralds, and blue and brown sapphires sparkle and frame the Faubourg Manchette Joaillerie.

After precise cutting, all the gems are fitted into hollowed-out settings in the bezel and pushed back with a scorper. The setter then hammers them in with precise force until the stones are secured in place. For the final touch, a polish is brushed on to accentuate this masterpiece's radiance.

Anti-reflective sapphire crystal helps seal the watch to a water resistance of 3 bars, or to 30 metres deep, as well as to ease reading the time on scratch-proof and glare-free surface. Go to www.hermes.com for more information about this watch and other luxurious Hermès items.